Mitf-PU.1 interactions with the tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase gene promoter during osteoclast differentiation

Role of miRNA-155 in the regulation of osteoclast differentiation mediated by MITF in stage III/IV periodontitis: a case-control study

BACKGROUND

Monocyte-macrophage lineage cells are committed towards osteoclast differentiation in vitro by the downregulation of microphthalmia-induced transcription factor (MITF) by miRNA-155. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate miRNA-155 expression and explore the regulation of MITF by miRNA-155 during osteoclastogenesis in periodontitis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ninety-eight subjects were recruited and categorized into the following: group I (cases)-systemically healthy with localized stage III/IV periodontitis (N = 49) and group II (controls)-systemically and periodontally healthy (N = 49). Gingival tissue samples were procured and qRT-PCR analysis was carried out for relative gene expression.

RESULTS

The mean ΔCT of miRNA-155 expression was -1.04 ± 2.26 and -0.01 ± 1.4 respectively for groups I and II. There was a statistically significant difference in the miRNA-155 expression (P ≤ 0.01) between the groups. The mean ΔCT of MITF expression for groups I and II was 4.15± 2.16 and 3.51± 1.57 respectively with no significant difference (P > 0.01) between the groups. In the periodontitis group, miRNA-155 expression increased by fivefolds (P ≤ 0.01) whereas MITF expression showed no significant difference in the fold change between the groups (P > 0.01). The site-specific clinical parameters showed a statistically significant strong negative and positive correlation with the ΔCT and fold change values of miRNA-155 respectively in the total 98 samples (P < 0.01). miRNA-155 was able to discriminate between periodontal health and disease with a diagnostic accuracy of 96.9% (95%CI: 91.38-98.95) and the AUC was 0.98 (95%CI: 0.97-1.0, SE = 0.008, P < 0.001) in ROC analysis with a sensitivity of 93.8% (95%CI: 83.48-97.9) and specificity of 100% (95%CI: 92.73-100).

CONCLUSIONS

miRNA-155 was dysregulated and upregulated by fivefolds in periodontal disease. It can be used as a potential biomarker to discriminate between periodontal health and disease. No difference in the MITF gene expression was demonstrated between periodontal health and disease. The result suggested that miRNA-155 does not affect the expression of MITF gene in the process of osteoclastogenesis in localized stage III/IV periodontitis within this study design and limitations.

RANK promotes colorectal cancer migration and invasion by activating the Ca2+-calcineurin/NFATC1-ACP5 axis

The tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor superfamily member 11a (TNFRSF11a, also known as RANK) was demonstrated to play an important role in tumor metastasis. However, the specific function of RANK in colorectal cancer (CRC) metastasis and the underlying mechanism are unknown. In this study, we found that RANK expression was markedly upregulated in CRC tissues compared with that in matched noncancerous tissues. Increased RANK expression correlated positively with metastasis, higher TNM stage, and worse prognosis in patients with CRC. Overexpression of RANK promoted CRC cell metastasis in vitro and in vivo, while knockdown of RANK decreased cell migration and invasion. Mechanistically, RANK overexpression significantly upregulated the expression of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5 (TRAP/ACP5) in CRC cells. Silencing of ACP5 in RANK-overexpressing CRC cells attenuated RANK-induced migration and invasion, whereas overexpression of ACP5 increased the migration and invasion of RANK-silencing cells. The ACP5 expression was transcriptionally regulated by calcineurin/nuclear factor of activated T cells c1 (NFATC1) axis. The inhibition of calcineurin/NFATC1 significantly decreased ACP5 expression, and attenuated RANK-induced cell migration and invasion. Furthermore, RANK induced phospholipase C-gamma (PLCγ)-mediated inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) axis and stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) to evoke calcium (Ca²⁺) oscillation. The RANK-mediated intracellular Ca²⁺ mobilization stimulated calcineurin to dephosphorylate NFATC1 and induce NFATC1 nuclear translocation. Both blockage of PLCγ-IP3R axis and STIM1 rescued RANK-induced NFATC1 nuclear translocation, ACP5 expression, and cell metastasis. Our study revealed the functional expression of RANK in human CRC cells and demonstrated that RANK induced the Ca²⁺-calcineurin/NFATC1-ACP5 axis in the regulation of CRC metastasis, that might be amenable to therapeutic targeting.

The underestimated role of the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MiTF) in normal and pathological haematopoiesis

Haematopoiesis, the process by which a restrained population of stem cells terminally differentiates into specific types of blood cells, depends on the tightly regulated temporospatial activity of several transcription factors (TFs). The deregulation of their activity or expression is a main cause of pathological haematopoiesis, leading to bone marrow failure (BMF), anaemia and leukaemia. TFs can be induced and/or activated by different stimuli, to which they respond by regulating the expression of genes and gene networks. Most TFs are highly pleiotropic; i.e., they are capable of influencing two or more apparently unrelated phenotypic traits, and the action of a single TF in a specific setting often depends on its interaction with other TFs and signalling pathway components. The microphthalmia-associated TF (MiTF) is a prototype TF in multiple situations. MiTF has been described extensively as a key regulator of melanocyte and melanoma development because it acts mainly as an oncogene. Mitf-mutated mice show a plethora of pleiotropic phenotypes, such as microphthalmia, deafness, abnormal pigmentation, retinal degeneration, reduced mast cell numbers and osteopetrosis, revealing a greater requirement for MiTF activity in cells and tissue. A growing amount of evidence has led to the delineation of key roles for MiTF in haematopoiesis and/or in cells of haematopoietic origin, including haematopoietic stem cells, mast cells, NK cells, basophiles, B cells and osteoclasts. This review summarizes several roles of MiTF in cells of the haematopoietic system and how MiTFs can impact BM development.

Atorvastatin inhibits osteoclast differentiation by suppressing NF-κB and MAPK signaling during IL-1β-induced osteoclastogenesis

BACKGROUND/AIMS

To define the effect of statins on interleukin 1β (IL-1β)-induced osteoclastogenesis and elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

Bone marrow cells were obtained from 5-week-old male ICR (Institute for Cancer Research) mice, and they were cultured to differentiate them into osteoclasts with macrophage colony-stimulating factor and the receptor activator of nuclear factor (NF)-κB ligand in the presence or absence of IL-1β or atorvastatin. The formation of osteoclasts was evaluated by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining and resorption pit assay with dentine slice. The molecular mechanisms of the effects of atorvastatin on osteoclastogenesis were investigated using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting for osteoclast specific molecules.

RESULTS

Atorvastatin significantly reduced the number of TRAP-positive multinucleated cells as well as the bone resorption area. Atorvastatin also downregulated the expression of the NF of activated T-cell c1 messenger RNA and inhibited the expression of osteoclast-specific genes. A possible underlying mechanism may be that atorvastatin suppresses the degradation of the inhibitors of NF-κB and blocks the activation of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, and p38; thus, implicating the NF-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinases pathway in this process.

CONCLUSIONS

Atorvastatin is a strong inhibitor of inflammation-induced osteoclastogenesis in inflammatory joint diseases.

Contributions of Caucasian-associated bone mass loci to the variation in bone mineral density in Vietnamese population

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Bone mineral density (BMD) is under strong genetic regulation, but it is not clear which genes are involved in the regulation, particularly in Asian populations. This study sought to determine the association between 29 genes discovered by Caucasian-based genome-wide association studies and BMD in a Vietnamese population.

METHODS

The study involved 564 Vietnamese men and women aged 18 years and over (average age: 47 years) who were randomly sampled from the Ho Chi Minh City. BMD at the femoral neck, lumbar spine, total hip and whole body was measured by DXA (Hologic QDR4500, Bedford, MA, USA). Thirty-two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 29 genes were genotyped using Sequenom MassARRAY technology. The magnitude of association between SNPs and BMD was analyzed by the linear regression model. The Bayesian model average method was used to identify SNPs that are independently associated with BMD.

RESULTS

The distribution of genotypes of all, but two, SNPs was consistent with the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium law. After adjusting for age, gender and weight, 3 SNPs were associated with BMD: rs2016266 (SP7 gene), rs7543680 (ZBTB40 gene), and rs1373004 (MBL2/DKK1 gene). Among the three genetic variants, the SNP rs2016266 had the strongest association, with each minor allele being associated with ~0.02 g/cm(2) increase in BMD at the femoral neck and whole body. Each of these genetic variant explained about 0.2 to 1.1% variance of BMD. All other SNPs were not significantly associated with BMD.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that genetic variants in the SP7, ZBTB40 and MBL2/DKK1 genes are associated with BMD in the Vietnamese population, and that the effect of these genes on BMD is likely to be modest.

Mutation in Osteoactivin Promotes Receptor Activator of NFκB Ligand (RANKL)-mediated Osteoclast Differentiation and Survival but Inhibits Osteoclast Function

We previously reported on the importance of osteoactivin (OA/Gpnmb) in osteogenesis. In this study, we examined the role of OA in osteoclastogenesis, using mice with a nonsense mutation in the Gpnmb gene (D2J) and wild-type controls (D2J/Gpnmb(+)). In these D2J mice, micro-computed tomography and histomorphometric analyses revealed increased cortical thickness, whereas total porosity and eroded surface were significantly reduced in D2J mice compared with wild-type controls, and these results were corroborated by lower serum levels of CTX-1. Contrary to these observations and counterintuitively, temporal gene expression analyses supported up-regulated osteoclastogenesis in D2J mice and increased osteoclast differentiation rates ex vivo, marked by increased number and size. The finding that MAPK was activated in early differentiating and mature D2J osteoclasts and that survival of D2J osteoclasts was enhanced and mediated by activation of the AKT-GSK3β pathway supports this observation. Furthermore, this was abrogated by the addition of recombinant OA to cultures, which restored osteoclastogenesis to wild-type levels. Moreover, mix and match co-cultures demonstrated an induction of osteoclastogenesis in D2J osteoblasts co-cultured with osteoclasts of D2J or wild-type. Last, in functional osteo-assays, we show that bone resorption activity of D2J osteoclasts is dramatically reduced, and these osteoclasts present an abnormal ruffled border over the bone surface. Collectively, these data support a model whereby OA/Gpnmb acts as a negative regulator of osteoclast differentiation and survival but not function by inhibiting the ERK/AKT signaling pathways.

Dynamic patterning at the pylorus: formation of an epithelial intestine-stomach boundary in late fetal life

In the adult mouse, distinct morphological and transcriptional differences separate stomach from intestinal epithelium. Remarkably, the epithelial boundary between these two organs is literally one cell thick. This discrete junction is established suddenly and precisely at embryonic day (E) 16.5, by sharpening a previously diffuse intermediate zone. In the present study, we define the dynamic transcriptome of stomach, pylorus, and intestinal tissues between E14.5 and E16.5. We show that establishment of this boundary is concomitant with the induction of over a thousand genes in intestinal epithelium, and these gene products provide intestinal character. Hence, we call this process intestinalization. We identify specific transcription factors (Hnf4 gamma, Creb3l3, and Tcfec) and examine signaling pathways (Hedgehog and Wnt) that may play a role in this process. Finally, we define a unique expression domain at the pylorus itself and detect novel pylorus-specific patterns for the transcription factor Gata3 and the secreted protein nephrocan.

Biology and clinical significance of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatases: new perspectives on an old enzyme

Type 5 tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) has been a clinically relevant biomarker for about 50 years. It has always been a reliable and specific cytochemical marker for hairy cell leukemia and for differentiated cells of monocytic lineage. Only recently has the test for serum TRAP activity been accepted as sensitive and specific enough for clinical use as a marker of osteoclasts and bone resorption. This has come about through steady advances in knowledge about TRAP enzymology, structure, function, and molecular regulation and a consequent appreciation that TRAP isoforms 5a and 5b have very different clinical significance. As a measure of osteoclast number and bone resorption, TRAP 5b has diagnostic and prognostic applications in osteoporosis, cancers with bone metastasis, chronic renal failure, and perhaps other metabolic and pathologic bone diseases. Serum TRAP 5a, on the other hand, has no relationship to bone metabolism but seems instead to be a measure of activated macrophages and chronic inflammation. Exploration of the real clinical usefulness of serum TRAP 5a for diagnosis and disease management in a wide variety of chronic inflammatory diseases is only now beginning. This perspective traces the important basic scientific developments that have led up to the refinement of serum TRAP isoform immunoassays and their validation as biomarkers of disease. Many unanswered questions remain, providing a wealth of opportunity for continued research of this multifaceted enzyme.

Complex regulation of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) expression by interleukin 4 (IL-4): IL-4 indirectly suppresses receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL)-mediated TRAP expression but modestly induces its expression directly

Interleukin 4 (IL-4) inhibits receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast formation and functional activity in a STAT6-dependent manner. IL-4 down-regulates expression of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) in mature osteoclasts. To determine whether IL-4 regulates TRAP promoter activity, RAW264.7 cells were transfected with a TRAP promoter-luciferase reporter. Treatment with IL-4 alone modestly enhanced TRAP luciferase activity. However, IL-4 suppressed the ability of RANKL to up-regulate TRAP-luciferase activity, suggesting that IL-4 has multiple effects on TRAP transcription. IL-4 also reduced the RANKL-induced association of RNA polymerase II with the TRAP gene in osteoclasts. The TRAP promoter contains a STAT6-binding motif, and STAT6 bound to the endogenous TRAP promoter after IL-4 treatment. To determine the impact of STAT6 binding, we transfected cells with STAT6VT, a constitutively active STAT6 mutant. STAT6VT alone up-regulated TRAP-luciferase activity; this effect was abrogated by mutating the STAT6 binding site in the minimal TRAP promoter. STAT6VT did not inhibit the potent up-regulation of TRAP promoter activity caused by overexpression of NFATc1, PU.1, and microphthalmia transcription factor, downstream targets of macrophage colony-stimulating factor and RANKL. IL-4 down-regulated the expression of c-Fos and NFATc1 in mature osteoclasts. Knockdown of NFATc1 by short interfering RNA caused TRAP expression to be down-regulated, and ectopic expression of NFATc1 abrogated the IL-4-induced down-regulation of TRAP. These results suggest that STAT6 plays two distinct roles in TRAP expression. The IL-4-induced activation of STAT6 mediates suppression of the RANKL-induced TRAP promoter activity indirectly by inhibiting NFATc1 expression. However, in the absence of RANKL and osteoclast differentiation, STAT6 binds the TRAP promoter after IL-4 treatment and directly enhances TRAP expression.

The mechanism of osteoclast differentiation induced by IL-1

IL-1 is a potent cytokine that can induce bone erosion in inflammatory sites such as rheumatoid joint regions via activation of osteoclasts. Not only is IL-1 capable of activating osteoclasts, but it is also a key cytokine involved in the differentiation, multinucleation, and survival of osteoclasts. Herein, we show that IL-1 has the potential to drive osteoclast differentiation via a receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL)/RANK-independent mechanism. Although IL-1 has a synergistic effect on RANKL-induced osteoclast formation, IL-1 alone cannot induce osteoclast differentiation from osteoclast precursors (bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs)) due to a lack of IL-1 signaling potential in these cells. However, we demonstrate that overexpression of the IL-1RI receptor in BMMs or induction of IL-1RI by c-Fos overexpression enables IL-1 alone to induce the formation of authentic osteoclasts by a RANKL/RANK-independent mechanism. The expression of IL-1RI is up-regulated by RANKL via c-Fos and NFATc1. Furthermore, the addition of IL-1 to IL-1RI overexpressing BMMs (IL-1/IL-1RI) strongly activates NF-kappaB, JNK, p38, and ERK which is a hallmark gene activation profile of osteoclastogenesis. Interestingly, IL-1/IL-1RI does not induce expression of c-Fos or NFATc1 during osteoclast differentiation, although basal levels of c-Fos and NFATc1 seem to be required. Rather, IL-1/IL-1RI strongly activates MITF, which subsequently induces osteoclast-specific genes such as osteoclast-associated receptor and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase. Together, these results reveal that IL-1 has the potential to induce osteoclast differentiation via activation of microphthalmia transcription factor under specific microenvironmental conditions.

Signaling networks that control the lineage commitment and differentiation of bone cells

Osteoblasts and osteoclasts are the two major bone cells involved in the bone remodeling process. Osteoblasts are responsible for bone formation while osteoclasts are the bone-resorbing cells. The major event that triggers osteogenesis and bone remodeling is the transition of mesenchymal stem cells into differentiating osteoblast cells and monocyte/macrophage precursors into differentiating osteoclasts. Imbalance in differentiation and function of these two cell types will result in skeletal diseases such as osteoporosis, Paget's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, osteopetrosis, periodontal disease, and bone cancer metastases. Osteoblast and osteoclast commitment and differentiation are controlled by complex activities involving signal transduction and transcriptional regulation of gene expression. Recent advances in molecular and genetic studies using gene targeting in mice enable a better understanding of the multiple factors and signaling networks that control the differentiation process at a molecular level. This review summarizes recent advances in studies of signaling transduction pathways and transcriptional regulation of osteoblast and osteoclast cell lineage commitment and differentiation. Understanding the signaling networks that control the commitment and differentiation of bone cells will not only expand our basic understanding of the molecular mechanisms of skeletal development but will also aid our ability to develop therapeutic means of intervention in skeletal diseases.

Opposite effects of PU.1 on mast cell stimulation

An Ets-family transcription factor PU.1 is involved in the development and specific gene regulation of hematopoietic cells. PU.1 also determines the commitment between several lineages via its expression level. Although enforced expression of PU.1 in mast cells (MC) induced expression of monocyte-specific markers and morphological change from MC to monocytes, especially dendritic cells (DC), in the previous report, intracellular events caused by PU.1 are largely unknown. In the present study, effect of PU.1 on IgE- and LPS-mediated stimulation degrees was analyzed. The amounts of IL-6, IL-13, and TNF-alpha produced from LPS-stimulated MC were markedly increased by overexpression of PU.1. In contrast, IL-6 and IL-13 production levels in response to IgE were reduced by PU.1, whereas that of TNF-alpha was up-regulated. beta-Hexosaminidase release as a means of degranulation was decreased in PU.1 transfectants. When eicosanoid generation in response to IgE-stimulation was analyzed, overexpression of PU.1 reduced leukotriene C(4) (LTC(4)) release, but enhanced PGD(2) production. Microarray analysis suggested that expression of FcepsilonRI signal pathway related molecules were suppressed in PU.1 overexpressing MC as well as DC. These observations indicate that up-regulation of PU.1 suppresses expression of FcepsilonRI signal transduction-related intracellular molecules, but increases the potential of transcription activity of monocyte characters.

Monomeric tartrate resistant acid phosphatase induces insulin sensitive obesity

BACKGROUND

Obesity is associated with macrophage infiltration of adipose tissue, which may link adipose inflammation to insulin resistance. However, the impact of inflammatory cells in the pathophysiology of obesity remains unclear. Tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) is an enzyme expressed by subsets of macrophages and osteoclasts that exists either as an enzymatically inactive monomer or as an active, proteolytically processed dimer.

PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

Using mice over expressing TRAP, we show that over-expression of monomeric, but not the dimeric form in adipose tissue leads to early onset spontaneous hyperplastic obesity i.e. many small fat cells. In vitro, recombinant monomeric, but not proteolytically processed TRAP induced proliferation and differentiation of mouse and human adipocyte precursor cells. In humans, monomeric TRAP was highly expressed in the adipose tissue of obese individuals. In both the mouse model and in the obese humans the source of TRAP in adipose tissue was macrophages. In addition, the obese TRAP over expressing mice exhibited signs of a low-grade inflammatory reaction in adipose tissue without evidence of abnormal adipocyte lipolysis, lipogenesis or insulin sensitivity.

CONCLUSION

Monomeric TRAP, most likely secreted from adipose tissue macrophages, induces hyperplastic obesity with normal adipocyte lipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity.

Biomechanical and molecular regulation of bone remodeling

Bone is a dynamic tissue that is constantly renewed. The cell populations that participate in this process--the osteoblasts and osteoclasts--are derived from different progenitor pools that are under distinct molecular control mechanisms. Together, these cells form temporary anatomical structures, called basic multicellular units, that execute bone remodeling. A number of stimuli affect bone turnover, including hormones, cytokines, and mechanical stimuli. All of these factors affect the amount and quality of the tissue produced. Mechanical loading is a particularly potent stimulus for bone cells, which improves bone strength and inhibits bone loss with age. Like other materials, bone accumulates damage from loading, but, unlike engineering materials, bone is capable of self-repair. The molecular mechanisms by which bone adapts to loading and repairs damage are starting to become clear. Many of these processes have implications for bone health, disease, and the feasibility of living in weightless environments (e.g., spaceflight).

Tfe3 expression is closely associated to macrophage terminal differentiation of human hematopoietic myeloid precursors

The MItf-Tfe family of basic helix-loop-helix leucine zipper (bHLH-Zip) transcription factors encodes four family members: MItf, Tfe3, TfeB and TfeC. In vitro, each protein of the family binds DNA in a homo- or heterodimeric form with other family members. Tfe3 is involved in chromosomal translocations recurrent in different tumors and it has been demonstrated, by in vivo studies, that it plays, redundantly with MItf, an important role in the process of osteoclast formation, in particular during the transition from mono-nucleated to multi-nucleated osteoclasts. Since mono-nucleated osteoclasts derive from macrophages we investigated whether Tfe3 might play a role upstream during hematopoietic differentiation. Here we show that Tfe3 is able to induce mono-macrophagic differentiation of U937 cells, in association with a decrease of cell proliferation and an increase of apoptosis. We also show that Tfe3 does not act physiologically during commitment of CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), since it is not able to direct HSCs toward a specific lineage as observed by clonogenic assay, but is a strong actor of terminal differentiation since it allows human primary myeloblasts' maturation toward the macrophage lineage.

Malignant melanoma: genetics and therapeutics in the genomic era

Cell for cell, probably no human cancer is as aggressive as melanoma. It is among a handful of cancers whose dimensions are reported in millimeters. Tumor thickness approaching 4 mm presents a high risk of metastasis, and a diagnosis of metastatic melanoma carries with it an abysmal median survival of 6-9 mo. What features of this malignancy account for such aggressive behavior? Is it the migratory history of its cell of origin or the programmed adaptation of its differentiated progeny to environmental stress, particularly ultraviolet radiation? While the answers to these questions are far from complete, major strides have been made in our understanding of the cellular, molecular, and genetic underpinnings of melanoma. More importantly, these discoveries carry profound implications for the development of therapies focused directly at the molecular engines driving melanoma, suggesting that we may have reached the brink of an unprecedented opportunity to translate basic science into clinical advances. In this review, we attempt to summarize our current understanding of the genetics and biology of this disease, drawing from expanding genomic information and lessons from development and genetically engineered mouse models. In addition, we look forward toward how these new insights will impact on therapeutic options for metastatic melanoma in the near future.

Minireview: transcriptional regulation in development of bone

Regulation of gene expression by transcription factors is one of the major mechanisms for controlling cellular functions. Recent advances in genetic manipulation of model animals has allowed the study of the roles of various genes and their products in physiological settings and has demonstrated the importance of specific transcription factors in bone development. Three lineages of bone cells, chondrocytes, osteoblasts, and osteoclasts, develop and differentiate according to their distinct developmental programs. These cells go through multiple differentiation stages, which are often regulated by specific transcription factors. In this minireview, we will discuss selected transcription factors that have been demonstrated to critically affect bone cell development. Further study of these molecules will lead to deeper understanding in mechanisms that govern development of bone.

Analysis of Distinct Tartrate-resistant Acid Phosphatase Promoter Regions in Transgenic Mice

The tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) is present in multiple tissues, including kidney, liver, lung, spleen, and bone. Recent study of (TRAP) gene expression has provided evidence for distinct promoters within the (TRAP) gene, suggesting that the gene has alternative, tissue-preferred mRNA transcripts. Examination of endogenous (TRAP) exon 1B and 1C mRNA transcripts revealed tissue-preferred transcript abundance with increased exon 1B transcripts detected in liver and kidney and increased exon 1C transcripts detected in bone and spleen. In this investigation, we have made transgenic mice that express a marker gene driven by two candidate promoters, designated BC and C, within the (TRAP) gene. The BC and C promoters are 2.2 and 1.6 kb, respectively, measured from the translation initiation site. Evaluation of BC transgenic lines demonstrated robust expression in multiple tissues. In contrast, significant transgene expression was not detected in C transgenic lines. Evaluation of transgene mRNAs in BC transgenic lines revealed that virtually all expression was in the form of B transcripts, suggesting that the tissue-preferred pattern of endogenous (TRAP) was not replicated in the BC transgenic line. Likewise, osteoclastogenic cultures from BC, but not C, transgenic bone marrow cells expressed the transgene following receptor activator of NFkappaB ligand/macrophage colony-stimulating factor stimulation. In conclusion, when compared with the 2.2-kb BC portion of the (TRAP) promoter region, the 1.6-kb C portion does not account for significant gene expression in vivo or in vitro; production of the bone- and spleen-preferred (TRAP) C transcript must depend on regulatory elements outside of the 2.2-kb promoter. As the majority of currently investigated transcription factors that influence transcriptional regulation of osteoclast gene expression bind within the 1.6-kb C portion of the (TRAP) promoter, it is likely that transcription binding sites outside of the 2.2-kb region will have profound effects on regulation of the gene in vivo and in vitro.

Roles for NF-kappaB and c-Fos in osteoclasts

NF-kappaB and c-Fos are transcription factors that are activated in immune cells and in most other cell types following stimulation by a variety of factors, including cytokines, growth factors, and hormones. They regulate the expression of a large number of genes, and both are activated in osteoclast precursors after RANKL, IL-1, or TNF bind to their respective receptors. However, of these cytokines, only RANKL is required for the induction of osteoclast formation in vivo. Nevertheless, it is likely that IL-1, TNF, and other cytokines participate in the upregulation of osteoclast formation seen in a variety of conditions that affect the skeleton in which cytokine production is increased, including estrogen deficiency and inflammatory bone diseases. In this review, the RANKL/ OPG/RANK system and roles for NF-kappaB and c-Fos in osteoclasts are reviewed along with our current understanding of how this system may be disrupted in common bone diseases, such as postmenopausal osteoporosis, inflammatory arthritis, and Paget's disease.